[written] Surely I have failed in some spectacular fashion.

[theflyingone]

[ Magic books are completely outside Altaïr's 12th century realm of understanding. Only recently did he witness what he could only describe as sorcery, strange powers from an ancient artifact. Even this he met with skepticism, for it could simply be science unexplained.

He's posed as a scholar on multiple occasions, a seeker of knowledge. Really he is an Assassin, a killer with questions. Asking around will not arouse suspicion as long as he's careful. Before he can try to find a way to escape this land, he needs information. ]

I have seen my fellow captives use this book to send letters. I hear these messages can be made secret. Show me how.

[ This place tests his patience and his pride, but he has to start somewhere. ]

ooc: Anyone who has seen his handwriting is free to recognize it. Most others will simply see the (translated) antiquated Arabic script of a learned man, written in ink and reed pen.

Comments

written;

[samson]

You just write the person's name and then the message you want to give them. Actually you don't even really need their name.

pardon the intrusion and also written

[rogueofheart]

:33 < you kind of do n33d the name though

she's dictating because wow you guys sound like noobs

[thiefoflight]

No you don't! You can write "this guy" or filter specifically to certain groups like, "all the dumb people who should know how to use filters but don't!"

[samson]

[He starts writing a response to Nepeta and gets as far as "wh" before Vriska pipes in, at which point he switches to dictation too. Kids!!!]

Hey, cut the attitude, you two. Jeez. This guy's new, give him a break.

[rogueofheart]

[Well she's certainly not going to be the only one writing!]

I'm just saying! If he makes the filter too vague, someone else might see it! I don't want that to happen to him when he is still brand new!

[thiefoflight]

Why would I be a dick to a newbie? I am talking to Nepeta! [DAD...]

written;

[givetheslip]

[It's been several weeks, so it takes Maria a few seconds to recognize the scrawl that appears on her own journal. Half the time she only looks into the thing to observe the phenomenon, but this time she sits up and reaches for a pen to reply.]

I've been told you simply indicate who the message is meant for by writing a name, or a title.

Altaïr

Like this. Feeling more yourself again, I take it?

written; sealed to the stranger asking after my health

[theflyingone]

[ This person must have encountered him during that unfortunate sleepwalking episode. Not only that, but they know his name and his handwriting. This is troubling. Being recognized by a stranger is usually bad news. ]

Either I have not seen a letter from you, or I have lost the memory of it. Can you tell me who you are? If what others say is true, these messages are between us only.

Altaïr

[givetheslip]

[There's a pause before she begins writing again.]

I suppose that's not surprising, given the state you were in when I met you again here. It's good to see you've awakened. This is Maria.

Re: Altaïr

[theflyingone]

[ Maria. A common enough European name, but... ]

I know no Marias. But I do know this place has no regard for the times people come from. I am beginning to suspect I am less informed than most.

[ Still, he's not inclined to trust her completely. He hastily adds: ]

Do not think that this puts me at a disadvantage. It is simply a matter of gathering information.

[ ...Information about his future that should probably stay secret. But he is not a believer in "ignorance is bliss." ]

Altaïr

[givetheslip]

[Well. Great.]

By my recollection, you most certainly do.

[Maria knows that this place has no regard for when it pulls people from their own worlds, but she really doesn't want to believe that he could be from...earlier. But there's no reason he would forget her name, unless he got off easy and it was his loss.]

I've no interest in leaving you at any kind of disadvantage. Do you remember nothing of Cyprus then? Or the last few weeks?

This Guy

[fearbringer]

[He read the above thread and is totally testing this out.]

Helpful, aren't they?

Re: This Guy

[theflyingone]

After a fashion. But if we are to escape this place, we cannot work like this.

[ The people here are too scattered, and like him, know too little about what it was that brought them here. ]

This Guy

[fearbringer]

Ah, so it does work.

Neither of those girls has been entirely helpful to me. I suggest looking elsewhere.

Re: This Guy

[theflyingone]

It works, but I do not know how effective it might be. Others have said that if the seal is not detailed enough, another may break it.

Elsewhere? Shall I start with you, then?

[ Why does his impatient writing look vaguely threatening... Beating information out of people in alleyways is not how you make friends... Luckily, Altaïr would rather not resort to violence without looking at other options first. ]

This Guy

[fearbringer]

By referring to you as "this guy"-- as opposed to some other guy-- it might just be detailed enough.

Wouldn't you rather start with someone who's been here longer?

written - Filtered to Altair

[deadlybanker]

I never thought to see writing like that outside of a codex page. You must be Altair? If not it matters little, these magical filters will make certain he is the only one to see this.

I suppose this means you have recovered from your sleepwalking?

Re: written - Filtered to Altair

[theflyingone]

[ No one is going to let him live down that sleepwalking spell, are they... ]

Codex? I have written no such thing.

[ Not that he'd be against the idea of writing a book, but he's had his hands full killing Templars for the past few months. ]

And how can you be certain of this sorcery? How do you know it can be trusted?

Re: written - Filtered to Altair

[deadlybanker]

[It left an impression on 'Rauf'! ]

No, you would not have yet. Given all that you said you must be from a time when you had only just taken over the Order?

I have no reason to trust it, but others who have been here longer do... I do not question their sincerity. We could meet in person if you would feel more as ease speaking with me face to face?

Re: written - Filtered to Altair

[theflyingone]

"Taken over"? I would have to, yes, but... This is one of the things I said when I was sleepwalking?

[ He doesn't wait for an answer, knowing it must be so. ]

I do not have any memory of what I said or did. You already know my name, but I have not seen your hand before. You might tell me who you are before we meet.

Re: written - Filtered to Altair

[deadlybanker]

You spoke of the betrayal you felt when Al Mualim moved against the Brotherhood. I inferred this must have been the moment you became Mentore for the Order.

I am Giovanni Auditore, an Assassin, as generations of Auditore before me have been.

Altair

[assassino]

[Here is Ezio having a small amount of satisfaction in knowing Altair's handwriting. Hell to the yes, having his codex. Ezio's own handwriting is loose, artlessly lazy. If ink could tease, it would be doing it now.]

Couldn't just ask one of us in person?

Re: Altair

[theflyingone]

[ So far, three people have recognized him by his writing alone, though he's almost sure none of his Brothers from Masyaf are here. He does not know the hand of anyone writing to him now. ]

How many people already know my hand?

[ His shock shows in the hastily scrawled reply. Then his writing becomes steady again. ]

I wanted to see how honestly my fellow captives would answer my question.

Who is this?

Altair

[assassino]

Ezio Auditore.

I have read your codices... I cannot speak for whether the others are familiar with your hand, but that is where I learned it.

Re: Altair

[theflyingone]

[ Of course Altaïr does not recognize his name at all. ]

Apparently I am to write a codex.

[ He knows this land has no regard for time, but it is still something that makes him reel. He'll just have to get used to it, he supposes. ]

How did you come upon my writings? What was in them?

[ Were he an older, wiser man, he wouldn't ask this last question. ]